toomuchrose

Ok folks, I'm gonna whine now, sorry. I hope someone can reassure me that at some point I will feel better, because I'm nothing but miserable now. I was banded on 5/20 and spent 2 days in the hospital violently nauseated. I thought maybe it was the anesthesia or the pain pump, and they gave me anti-nausea drugs. After being home 2 days I had to go back to the ER because the nausea and diarrhea were really bad. I got a Rx for more nausea meds and periodically felt better. I kept saying that at least I didn't have incision pain and I was healing well. I was told not to take the steri-strips off, that they'd fall off on their own, but they never did. Last Sunday i saw that I had red flaring around one incision and it was oozing. I had my 2 week check up the next day and the nurse took the strips off to reveal red rectangles under each one. I am apparently allergic to them now. One incision is open and looks nasty to me, but the doctor said it was only mildly infected and should heal ok, just watch to see it doesn't get worse. so now I have a visiting nurse coming in to pack it and monitor it. I'm still having debilitating nausea about 2/3 of the day. This morning I woke up sick and had to really force myself to eat 1/2 a mashed banana and some Greek yogurt. I'm following my dietary instructions exactly. I'm not hungry at all, on the contrary, I find most food repulsive and have practically no desire to eat. I'm getting around 350-400 calories a day. I'm getting the recommended fluids, but not quite enough Protein. I feel very weak and almost faint. The only food that seemed to help has been 1/2 vegetable broth, 1/2 minestrone Soup in the blender. After eating that I feel much better. I think salty, savory things would help, so I'm wondering if it's a electrolyte problem? I see other people on the same timetable talking about going to the gym, working, going to restaurants, etc. Wow! I'm too sick to do anything. I'm starting to get really depressed and think maybe this whole thing was a mistake. I'm down by 31 lbs. and when I got weighed, I didn't even feel glad, just miserable. Were any of you this sick for this long? Maybe it's because I'm older? I've had other operations over the last few years (joint replacements) and didn't react this badly. I like the people at the doctor's office and they are listening to my problems, they just keep telling me to check back if I feel worse and keep getting my liquids.

@@enjoythetime Thanks. The 31 lbs isn't since my surgery, it includes the 5 months of qualifying diet. I was down about 14 when I went into surgery, The day I came home I weighed 6 more than when I went in due to IV fluids, so it was a seesaw, but since surgery, I've dropped about 18. It got hard to keep track, but in all, I've lost 31 as of now. I agree that I'm just not taking in enough calories to keep myself going. This week I'm making smoothies with Muscle Milk, Greek yogurt, fruit and almond milk, but I just had one and it made me sick! @@Bandista and @@Jack, thanks for the kind words.

I would guess it's your port incision, right? Mine hurts also and my surgery was May 21. I had my post -op check up yesterday and the doc said that's normal since there's piece of plastic embedded there, it will be tender. Unfortunately, I turned out to be allergic to the steri-strips on all five of my incisions. My skin has a bright red and blistery rectangle where each came off and one incision is infected. It's really nasty looking, an oozing open hole. The doctor told me to watch out for fever or shivering, as well as increased redness, and to try to let it be exposed to the air more. I was told not to pull the steri-strips off, but I guess they didn't fall off on their own soon enough. Just keep checking that you aren't developing an infection and check your temperature. If you see a problem, call the doctor. Good luck.

I'm starting to feel more human because my nausea has subsided. The surgeon's office said the addition of full liquids would help my digestive system and it has. I feel a little discomfort from my port incision now that it's healing. I think the stitches are pulling, but I'm ever so glad it didn't hurt a lot at any point. Some times the things we fear never come to pass, I guess. I totally lost track of my weight over the last month because I was down 18 due to the qualifying diet, then I binged for two weeks and gained some, came home from the hospital 6 lbs more than when i went in due to fluids, and now I'm losing like crazy. Monday I'll have my 2 week check up, so I'm waiting until then for the official word, but on my scale it looks like I've lost at least 23 lbs. Next week will be great, applesauce, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, whooppee! Sounds like Thanksgiving to me!

@@SandyM I like your phrase " Mindful and not mindless eating." I need to keep that foremost in my head.

I have mixed results. My surgery was 5/20 and three of my incisions are painfree. The port site is a little sore, but I didn't even bother to fill the Roxacet Rx they gave me at discharge and I'm happy with one Tylenol a day; I didn't even remember to take one yesterday. Here's the bad part, I have horrible nausea and diarrhea. I had to go back to the ER Saturday night because I literally was afraid to go into my living room, too far from the bathroom! Everything I sip produces wild gurgling and I can feel liquid shooting around in my intestines. I was also experiencing a terrible smell and bad taste in my mouth. At the ER they said that's from reflux, and after giving me an anti- nausea IV, that went away. The docs thought I may have contracted C. diff at the hospital and I'm waiting for test results for it. They wanted to re-admit me to be sure I wasn't going to be dehydrated since I couldn't bear to drink enough Water. I haven't vomited at all, however. I convinced them to let me go home, and with the help of the Zofran, I'm getting my fluids down. They think it's all caused by the anesthesia or the pain pump meds. Whatever, it isn't getting any better yet. My surgeon's nurse told me to try a Protein shake even though I'm still in the Clear liquids week to give my gut something to work with, I drank 4 oz., of chocolate Muscle Milk and it was delicious, but 10 minutes later, uuugghhhh!!! As for gas pain, I feel some pressure in my throat, but I have too much other misery to think about that.

I just got my band on 5/20, so I am not speaking from a lot of experience, but during the five months of insurance required prep I felt pressure also about my choice. I read that the band was more or less obsolete, and I also read the horror stories about complications and food restrictions. But I also read posts here from many happy, successful bandsters. At this point I can't say if getting the band was the right choice or not, but I can say I would not have gone for the more invasive options. For me it was the band or nothing. And if I was your age, I'd feel that even more strongly. I'm almost 70 and having a large part of my gut rearranged in a bypass or my stomach altered in a sleeve was just too radical. For one thing, I dealt with IBS for years and I've read that the sleeve and bypass people have issues with uncontrolled diarrhea. Did you ever see the Al Roker interview where he told how he had an accident at the White House on the way to an event? C'mon now, do you want to face something like that? Yes, the band produces slower weight loss and may result in less total loss, but at my age I don't need to weight 120 lbs., I simply want to not be morbidly obese. And after I lose a good bit, I will be better able to lose more through activity, so I think it will work for me. To some extent the debate seems to remain a matter of personal preference, choosing your own poison. I'd rather never be able to eat apple skins again than face other consequences. This will be more work, a steeper learning curve, but slower loss is better for regaining skin elasticity, too. I have a tough job ahead learning to eat slowly and chew thoroughly, but I can do it. Overall, my advice is to read everything you can here and look at the percentages of satisfied patients. Good luck!

My surgery was Tuesday. I was on a Demerol pump and it made me pretty sick, really nauseous and so they switched me to Roxacet. I couldn't tell if it was better, as I was still sick, so I asked to change to Tylenol. I think it's taken me a long time to get the meds out of my system. I came home Thursday and yesterday I started having the worst diarrhea of my life. I was nauseated most of the day and had the bathroom issues from 8 AM to 1 PM and then started again in the evening. I called the doctor's office and they said if it continues over the weekend I might have contracted C. diff and would need to come back in. At bedtime I took an Imodium so I could get through the night, but by 8 AM I was up again desperately racing to the toilet. It hasn't stopped. The gas they put in me for surgery seemed to press mainly on my lungs. I didn't really have a problem with the arm pain many people describe. My incision sites don't hurt as much as I feared either. But this nausea and diarrhea is terrible. A visiting nurse was supposed to come and I just spoke with her. She said to try the doctor's office again and see if I should take more Imodium. I'm waiting for them to call me back now. I've been drinking Water, diluted juice, broth and Jello, but now I feel afraid to put anything in my mouth. People on here have posted about being back to work in five days, going to restaurants, etc. and right now I'm literally afraid to go as far away from the bathroom as my living room. If they tell me to come to the hospital I don't know how I'll dare to get into someone's car.

I meant a Dilaudid pump, not Demerol. Sorry I still don't feel like I can think straight.

@@betty_s Wow! One thing this forum has shown me is the big differences among hospitals and doctors. I'm amazed you're eating food, lucky girl! While mine didn't have me do a pre-op, she gets us back into food very slowly over a five step schedule, each phase lasts a week. I will have nothing but clear liquids for the first week, broth, popsicles and jello. Then full liquids, diluted cream soup, Cream of Wheat, and protein shakes. Third week is pureed food, fourth is soft foods and after five weeks the regular diet. I'm going to two big parties on June 7 -8, and I'll be sitting there drinking a protein shake and eating 1/2 C Jello while my friends stuff themselves with delicious food. But I have to remember the rewards are worth it. Today is my big day folks. When the hospital called with my arrival time yesterday I was shocked. Every operation I've had was one of those deals where I had to be there at 5 AM, surgery at 7 AM. Mine is 1:30 PM and I don't need to be there until 11:30. I figure by 1:30 the surgeon will be exhausted, drowsy from lunch and ready for an afternoon nap!

@@SillyAuntDi Thanks for the encouragement. You'll see me report back here soon. All your advice is very good and I plan to do just that.

@@natalie_christin It was a Bruce Springsteen concert, so you know I was moving! Tomorrow is my Big Day, getting banded, so a new way of life is starting for me. I hope I can get fit somehow.

@@cfryer03 Tomorrow is my big day too! I'm nervous and really on edge. I'm trying to keep in mind all the reasons why I wanted this in the first place. I'm sure any one facing any sort of surgery feels some apprehension, so I need to relax. I've been reading the posts here for several weeks and it looks like the great majority of bandsters do well. Even those who report some problems help me to know what to expect and how to cope, so stick around and we'll get though this! Good luck!

@ Go to an ER, or even an UrgiCare Clinic if necessary. Try to develop a thicker skin when dealing with the nurse and/or surgeon. What matters most, their opinion of you or your health and safety? Don't allow someone else's snotty attitude to endanger your health. So they don't like you. You don't like them! This isn't friendship, it's professional service, and as long as they will see you, insist on an appointment.

Natalie, I'm also partially disabled. I have severe arthritis in my back, lots of bone spurs and spinal stenosis.My sciatic nerve on the left is being pinched by the spurs. Seven years ago I had my right hip replaced and the surgeon crushed my sciatic nerve on that side during the operation, so I have trouble on both sides. I have had two knee replacements and so my legs aren't too bad now, but I can only stand for 2-3 minutes. In my apartment I use a walker, and when I go out, i use a wheelchair. I'm 69 years old and people are always telling me to try Water aerobics, but I also have urinary incontinence issues and I'm afraid to go in a pool. I'm too embarrassed to explain to most people why I don't try the pool. But there are several indoor pools here and I know of one that has a chair lift for the disabled. My son gave me a Fitbit and that's helped a lot. It's a wristband that tracks your activity and I keep track of how I'm doing daily. It does cost about $100, so I understand that may be a problem. I think for me, it's really recording arm motions and such, rather than real steps, but it still gives me an idea of whether I'm moving more or less. The greatest was when I recently went to a rock concert and wow! I moved my arms, pumped them up and down for hours and I showed lots of minutes in the very active range. So even if you could put on some music and chair dance, that's worthwhile. The Fitbit syncs with myfitnesspal.com and shows calories in and calories expended. I've tried Sit and Be Fit, and i must admit I'm not good about keeping it up, but I think it gives you some cardio workout. A trainer came to do a demo at the senior building where I live recently and the workout she led had a lot of arm raises and movements that got me huffing and puffing and raised my heart rate.

I think you need to be proactive, if the nurse doesn't call back, call her back and explain that you're having serious issues and need to be seen. If they are really nasty to you, go to the ER if you're having this much pain. Pain that will "stop you in your tracks" certainly can't be ignored.

It's encouraging to hear how well you are all doing. My day is Tuesday and I'm still nervous, but I'll be glad when it's over.

@@ddsweighin228 How does it feel? My surgery is next Tuesday and I appreciate reading comments from people who have already gotten banded so I know what to expect. How long was it from your surgery until the first fill?

@@Tracy Learmonth Shaw Good luck, hope you recover quickly.

@@Samirax6 Good luck! It looks like we have a good group here to support each other and send along healing vibes, prayers and helpful advice. As far was wearing something home from the hospital, I have a couple of full length cotton loungers from what I call the "fat ladies' stores" (Roamans, Woman Within, etc.) that I wear as dresses for casual use. They are loose and have empire waists. Here in Pittsburgh it's already 80 today, so I think by my surgery date of 5/20, it will be the right weather to wear them. I haven't tried any of the protein drinks yet. Does anyone have suggestions of what brands are good?

I am so, so glad to have the experiences of all you "pros" to explain these things, and I want to thank you fo taking the time to post replies to questions like this. It's incredibly helpful to hear good explanations about the stuff that worries me. My surgery is coming on May 20 and every day I fret about things like will I get stuck, will I throw up a lot, etc. @@Bandista and @@relief57, I am a food bolter, always have been and I haven't made much progress on chewing slowly. It's "chomp, chomp, swallow" with me and I know learning to undo that will be my biggest challenge.

@@tmposton Good for you! I hope you feel well and see some progress soon. I'll be in your shoes in two weeks and I'm a bundle of nerves. May 20 is speeding towards me! My surgeon isn't requiring a pre-op diet and I've had too many occassions to overeat lately. The surgeon requires my PCP to sign off for final approval of the surgery, so I'm going there tomorrow, and then it's just a few days of waiting and being on edge.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but the doctor's office gave me a handbook with recommendations of what to have on hand: a thermometer so you can see if you have an unusual temp whatever Vitamins are recommended dressings for your incision, tape, gauze and of course the broth, popscicles, Jello etc. on your Clear liquids list. Also, have your laundry and grocery shopping done beforehand because you aren't allowed to lift anything over ten pounds. Several people here have said to have GasX disolvable strips, too.

Hi, I'm at the beginning of this process. So far I've watched 1 informational video from a local surgeon, Dr. Anita Courcoulas, and read a little on the internet, and that's about all I know. After finding this site today, I followed a link to the vertical sleeve site, and was confused and dismayed to see so many people there complaining about the LAP-BAND®® and claiming that the VS was the better way to go. The only thing I'm sure of is that I'm not interested in the RNY. Since I live in a city known for medical expertise, I think I can rely on the surgical practice I picked; they're experienced. I filled out a questionaire and someone from the office called and gave me the option of attending classes at Magee Hospital or having my PCP monitor my six month pre-surgical efforts. I picked my PCP because it's cheaper and easier to reach, but now I'm afraid she won't have the experience with WLS to advise me about all the many details. She is a good doctor, though, and takes time to discuss matters very well with me. I need to spend some time going over this board and the VS board, also, to get a feel for the experiences of other people. It's the beginning of a long and confusing journey, but one that I hope will lead to a better life.

Congratulations on your wise decision, One thing has worked with me regarding fast food, and actually I used this for the last several years even before starting my WLS journey - keep in mind how it can be disappointing! I kept seeing an ad for a new Wendy's sandwich that looked great, fresh lettuce, fluffy bun, etc. I gave in and got one and it looked like most fast food, slapped together and resembling something that had been sat on! There was no sauce, the bun was smashed and squished, it wasn't hot enough, and it all added up to a waste of 450 calories on something that wasn't even good. Ads usually look so much better than the reality. When you said Krispy Kreme, the first thought I had was how sick I feel after two donuts, the nasty greasy coating on my teeth, the slight nausea, etc. Yes, their raised donuts are good when warm, but the cake kind are too sweet and kind of sickening IMHO, lol. Not to mention the feelings of shame afterwards. Stay strong!